Advertisement consent
Advertisement and directional signs erected without consent can be subject to prosecution in the Courts where substantial fines can be imposed.
If the land on which you wish to erect an advertisement is located within in an Area of Special Control of advertisements then you would be required to submit a full planning application for your proposal. Hertsmere’s planning policy unit is looking review the Area of Special Control of advertisements in late 2009.
Some limited types of advertisement have been granted ‘deemed consent’ under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1989 (as amended) and therefore do not need planning permission from the Council.
Useful guidance can be found in the Governments publication ‘Outdoor Advertisements and Signs’ available from the Council or on the Communities and Local Government website 
(previously ODPM). However, many forms of advertisement will require the consent of the Council to be displayed and forms are available from the Council for this purpose, together with information about fees.
- Download the Advertisement Consent application form here
797KB - Download details of Planning Application fees here 63KB
The Council recognises the value of informing and directing the public through the use of advertisement signs. However, it also recognises that signs both individually and collectively can cause visual harm.
In considering applications for advertisement consent the Council will take into account the likely impact of the sign on visual amenity and on road safety. Advertisement and directional signs erected without consent can be subject to prosecution in the Courts where substantial fines can be imposed.
The Council wishes to encourage the use of high quality materials and design in shop fascias and advertising throughout the borough. A shop fascia is an important element of the shop frontage and should be considered as an integral part of the design of the front itself.